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When I was 10 years old, my neighbor died in front of me of an asthma attack, because he and his family were undocumented immigrants and his grandmother was afraid of what would happen if they called an ambulance for help.
Leana S. Wen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the significance of fear and the consequences it can have on life and death situations.

Leana S. Wen reflects on a tragic experience from her childhood, emphasizing the profound impact that fear of authority and lack of access to medical help can have on vulnerable communities. Her neighbor's death underscores how immigration status can lead to devastating outcomes when families are unwilling to seek assistance due to fear of deportation or other repercussions.

Themes

FearImmigrationHealthcareAsthmaHelp

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a discussion about healthcare access and immigrant rights.

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